I wish to express my strong objection to the GNLP allocation of site GNLP0133-E between the Bluebell Road and the University Broad for the building of student accommodation.
The inclusion of this site for a building development, equivalent to 160 homes, would be a serious intrusion into the recognised, and supposedly protected, Yare Valley Character Area, and would set a dangerous precedent for building development in the Valley in the future.
My comments are in alignment with those of the Year Valley Society:
• The Yare Valley Character Area is more than the sum of its parts. Any reduction in the Valley green infrastructure corridor impacts on its ability to function effectively in its roles of maintaining biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and supporting informal leisure.
• The Yare Valley Character Area is already under pressure from existing leisure activity overuse (e.g. over-worn paths). In the future it will have to meet the well-being needs of an additional population from new nearby residential development currently under construction. Now is the time to increase the Yare Valley green space, not to reduce it.
• The intrusion of building development into the Yare Valley Character Area would be contrary to existing (and continuing) Norwich Development Management Policy which seeks to safeguard the Yare Valley Character Area from building development of this kind.
• Several of the Policies of “The Strategy” of the draft GNLP emphasize the importance of green infrastructure, and the intention to extend and enhance it. The inclusion of the site in the draft GNLP contradicts the stated intention and would signal that Greater Norwich is not serious about implementing its own declared green infrastructure policies.